When military members finally return from a tour, it’s usually the family and friends back home that work hard to plan a special welcome. However, Lance Corporal Clinton Rivas was determined to be the one doing the surprising upon his return.
Upon returning from a tour in Afghanistan, it would be the first time he had seen his girlfriend, Samantha, since October of 2012. Clinton sweetly informed us, “She is the reason for everything I do.” What better way to make the reunion memorable than to propose…at the airport…during a flash mob-style opera performance! With the help of GigMasters members Nancy Burridge (Tampa, FL) and Ryan Engelbrecht (Royal Palm Beach, FL), Clinton’s idea turned into a reality.
The marine shared that he had no idea where to begin with planning this event until he found GigMasters, where Nancy responded and immediately aided in piecing the surprise together. When a previously hired tenor fell through, Ryan saved the day. “It was a miracle that he was able to come aboard with such short notice,” said Clinton, who commended him for doing such a wonderful job.
In addition to these performers, there were two other opera singers and about twenty members of the Discovery Church, who were graciously organized into a chorus by worship leader Paulo Clayton.
Watch the awesome performance- and his fiancée’s tear-jerking reaction- in the video below!
